I am experiencing depression or deep sadness

What this passage says

The psalm cries out day and night, describes a soul full of troubles, life drawing near to Sheol, being counted with those who go down to the pit, and friends put far away. It is a prayer addressed to God from beginning to end, and it ends in darkness without a resolution.

What describes your situation best?

Only if it helps. Nothing you choose is saved or sent anywhere.

• This has lasted a long time
• I cannot get out of bed or function
• I feel nothing at all
• I feel like a burden to people
• I am already getting help and want Scripture too

What would help you most right now?

• Give me Scripture to read
• Help me understand what Scripture says
• Guide me through prayer
• Give me a short study
• Create a 7-day Scripture journey

Read these next

• The same thing taught elsewhere

  Loading Psalm 42…

  The same downcast soul, with hope spoken to itself.

• Old and New Testament together

  Loading 1 Kings 19:1-18…

  God's practical care for a man who asked to die: sleep, food, a voice, and a task.

• How it is lived

  Loading 2 Corinthians 1:3-11…

  Paul writes of being burdened beyond strength and of comfort in affliction.

What this means for you

Psalm 88 is in the Bible without a happy ending, which means the Scriptures make room for a prayer that is still in the dark. It is still speech to God.

One thing to do

Pray Psalm 88 as it is, and take one concrete step of care today: rest, food, and telling one person how you actually are.

Pray this passage

God, this psalm cries to you day and night and does not pretend. I do not have words of my own, so I am borrowing these. My soul is full of trouble. I am not asking you to be impressed with my faith. Hear me, as the psalm says the writer cried to you, and keep me until morning.

Or pray in your own words

• Tell God the plainest true sentence about today.
• Ask him for help through one hour, not the whole road.
• Ask for the courage to tell one person and to accept care.

A 7 day Scripture path

Seven passages, one a day, read in your own translation. Kept in this browser only.

Where to go from here

• Read the whole chapter around Psalm 88
• Put one of these verses to memory
• Save a verse or write a note in your library
• Choose another subject